A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact. 

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What We Offer:

  Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 

  Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 

  Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.

  Opportunities in Tech - Don’t wait for the future, shape it.

  Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Office of Children and Families (OCF) aligns the City’s policies, resources, and services for children and families. Our priorities are: 

• Safe children. 
• Strong families. 
• Supported schools and communities. 

OCF administers a number of City-supported programs, including Out-of-School Time, WorkReady, Community Schools, PHLpreK, and Access Centers. The office also oversees the Department of Human Services (DHS), Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the Free Library of Philadelphia. 

Our office works to improve outcomes for all Philadelphia children and families. 

The mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia is to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity. Its vision is to build an enlightened community devoted to lifelong learning.  The Free Library of Philadelphia circulates more than eight million items to almost 500,000 customers and conducts thousands of programs for people of all ages every year.

The Community School Coordinator (CSC) is an employee of the Office of Children and Families (OCF) who works closely with the Community Schools Manager to implement, integrate, align and coordinate the community school strategy at the site level. The CSC, while employed by OCF, is also accountable to the school principal and is therefore expected to plan and align all programs, services, and opportunities collaboratively.  

This position is school-based located at South Philadelphia High School 2101 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19148 

“South Philadelphia High School is a learning community united in its commitment to ensuring a safe, nurturing and literate environment for children and adults.” 

To read more about South Philadelphia click here. 

Essential Functions 

General Duties & Responsibilities 

• Works with school staff, students, parents, and community stakeholders such as local businesses, nonprofit partners, and public agencies to build knowledge about, connections with, and support for community school model. 
• Works closely with Community Schools Manager to perform school community asset mapping, find service providers, and troubleshoot challenges. 
• Engages families and school staff to better understand student needs and reporting process. 
• Leads asset mapping process and conducts ongoing assessment, including resource inventory and gap analysis. 
• Assists with needs assessment process by collecting data for community asset map. 
• Develops and manages partnerships with local service providers. 
• Serves as an integral part of school-based leadership to support connecting students with appropriate service providers. 
• Tracks services and submits weekly plans and reports to be shared with School, Community, and City leaders for feedback and support. 
• Meets with Community Schools Manager on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to review weekly reports and create support systems to facilitate the delivery of quality services. 
• Convenes and staffs Community School Committee (or as appropriate supports the SAC), a coordinating body that is co-led by the principal and includes representatives from key stakeholder groups to provide monthly feedback and support based on student and community needs.  
• Works closely with Community Schools Manager to develop and implement the shared Community School Work plan based on community needs and Community Schools logic model. 
• Builds positive relationships and trust with principals, teaching staff, students, service providers, community leaders, and other resource coordinators.

Coordination and Support 

• Coordinates student needs assessment and provider selection.  
• Supports school administration in making data-driven program decisions.  
• Creates and develops a Community School Committee (e.g. parents, teachers, students, school administrators, local business leaders, and community members, etc.) with the purpose of collaborating, assessing needs and mapping the assets of the school community, and gathering input from the community leaders during the decision-making process.  
• Engages families and school staff to better understand student needs. 
• Collects and uses needs and service provider data throughout the implementation process and shares outcomes with community leaders. 
• Supports school administration in making data-driven program decisions based on student data. 
• Engages neighborhood associations, residents, and community leaders in community school planning and implementation process. 
• Facilitates regular partner meetings, including all groups and organizations that serve students and families. 
• Recruits, trains, and coordinates volunteers based on Community Schools guidelines.

Training 

• Participates in Community Schools and Office of Children and Families staff meetings. 
• Attend capacity-building activities, including initiative-wide and site-based training, peer network meetings, and study visits. 
• Participates in learning communities with other coordinators. 
• Participate in ongoing professional development. 

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Leadership 

• Demonstrated leadership ability 
• Proven understanding and ability to foster positive organizational health. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and to maintain relationships with community-based organizations, families and children, teachers, and volunteers. 
• Communication and Community Engagement 
• High-level written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to engage meaningfully with youth, parents, staff and the community-at-large. 
• Applies effective interpersonal and problem-solving skills when responding to partners.  

Management 

• Strong program management skills and the ability to prioritize work and to successfully facilitate multiple projects.  
• Ability to organize and facilitate meetings. 
• Problem Solving/Data Analysis/Decision-making 
• Expertise with using data in education, community, or social services settings.  
• Identifies and analyzes problems weighing the relevance and accuracy of available information.  
• Generates and evaluates alternative solutions and makes effective and timely decisions. 
• Ability to stay calm under pressure  

Other 

• Knows personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and limits. 
• Reflective and seeks feedback. 
• Exceptional cultural competency and proficiency 
• Deep knowledge and understanding of parental involvement and engagement 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience. 
• 3 years’ experience working with children and/or adults in a school, nonprofit social service, or community development organization. 
• Deep knowledge, understanding, and interest in school and community. 
• Ability to keep accurate records and prepare reports. 
• Knowledge of the public education system in Pennsylvania as well as the operation of community-based organizations and institutions of higher education is an asset. 
• Must be comfortable with the use of data to drive decisions.  
• Ability to help people process difficult situations

Salary: $65,000

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and reference list with your application.

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• Employees are eligible for a 25% tuition discount program (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• We offer comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available 

Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected]. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx

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